When to Say “Yes” & When to Say “No” & a Gift to Help {Give Away Day}

Happy Friday friends! I know many of you already know my friend, Lysa TerKeurst, but did you know she is releasing a life changing book this week? I am so excited to be participating in her “The Best Yes” Blog Tour along with many other inspiring bloggers because this book has already helped me tremendously and I so want it to help others! To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE.

I was blessed to get an advanced copy of “The Best Yes” back in June. I just couldn’t put it down. In fact, just as I was reaching the 5 Questions to Ask When Making a Decision, I was put in the position to have to make a decision with one of my kids. While I would love to think I always make wise choices that are not emotionally based…I would be delusional to say so! This fork-in-the-road was so heavy on the hearts of my husband and I. As we discussed just what we should do, I pulled out “The Best Yes” and with the help of God’s word and the practical points in the book, we made a very hard “best yes” decision together.

You can guess I am keeping this book near by for the next time my heart wants to say “yes” but when the best answer is “no”.

As I read it, I kept thinking of how powerful it would be to teach our kids how to make “best yes” decisions now, while they are in the middle of life-altering choices. So I got copies for each of my girls.

You know sometimes when you give your girl a book, you really don’t know if it will get read or not.

While at the beach, one of my daughters was stung by a sting ray. Laid up with a very painful foot, she posted her hammock and climbed in. I loved discovering how she was spending her time:

I am so excited to give one of you this “The Best Yes” give away!

To be entered to win this drawing, share why you would like to win “The Best Yes” and who you want to win it for. If today is a busy day, just say in the comments below “I’m in!”. If you get my posts by email, be sure to head back to my website at www.LynnCowell.com to enter!

I’m in! I’m a teacher and a mom. I always get myself in over my head and live in an overwhelmed world. This would help me put things in perspective and prioritize so I’m sayng my BEST YES, and not just yes.

Unfortunately, I was never blessed with a little girl but I do have a wonderful son and two step daughters who I love dearly. Both men and women can learn from “The Best Yes.” Choosing “no” sometimes is in God’s will and may not always be the path most traveled but we must listen to the Holy Spirit speaking. Thank you for your mnistry and yep, “I’m in.”

I’m in – it’s been a crazy week and I have lots of trouble saying no especially when it comes to friends or church. I’m always trying to fit more things into my day than there is time. I always feel guilty saying no. I need to learn how to say my best yes and not just yes.

Please pick me. I would love to be able to read it and hope P31 does an online bible study on it soon. I love the way LYsa writes her books and how in everyone I have read I feel like she was talking to me in so many ways.

I’m in! More often than not, I find myself overwhelmed and trying to balance everything because I’ve said, “Yes” to too many “good” causes. I would love a copy of this new book. As a Christian I know God calls me to help with certain things, but as a young mom I am learning that saying yes to every good cause that comes my way isn’t always the best thing for me or my family.

I’m In ! – In being chosen to receive The Best Yes, I would learn not to feel so overwhelmed from saying Yes to everything coming my way when in the end, it may not be the Best Yes for me. God says Look to the hills from whence cometh my help for my help cometh from the Lord. It is exciting to have such a book from Ms. Lysa with wisdom and words of knowledge in seeking our best yes. I only wish I had this tool when I was growing up to assist me with saying yes to boys whom did not always treat me right and girls who I thought were my friends to become popular like them, but in the end only was used for their purposes. Yes, Yes, Yes…I need this book. God bless you and Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I’m in. This book sounds really good. My husband is good at helping me to say no to things, but I would still enjoy reading it. When I was done reading it, I would pass it to a friend who feels guilty saying no, but does because there is no way she can say yes.

Like everyone else who has posted, I need this book! I’m entering the season of the year where I feel like I’m drowning, I hate when summer meets school and all of the demands of fall prep before winter comes! I certainly need to learn to make better choices in responding to opportunities! I have several strong, courageous women that I intend to share the book with, if I would win it or if I need to buy it, it is on my short list to read!

I’m in. I would love to have the book for myself. I have never been able to say no without a lot of guilt, I’m going through a difficult time right now and have a lot on my plate. I need to learn how to say no!

I would love to win this book! I am in the midst of 2 high school students, a middle school and a 5th grader. Between all their activities, working part time as a teacher,my husband and I are leaders in our church … I am feeling I am in a tug-a-war with my calendar! I did say no to coaching this year which is huge for me but I am such a people pleaser that I signed up to do the score books for the games for I felt guilty about saying no to coaching!! AHH

I am in! I would love to read the book! It will help me and my family. When I make a decision and when I guide the kids through theirs. Those decisions get tougher as they grow older! They are ages 14, 17 and 19. Plus, I am thinking of a niece who has some very, very tough decisions coming up. How I would love to share with her, too! Thanks for offering this “give away”.

I’m in!!!! I would love to win this book to share with my daughter who starts high school in 2 weeks. This an adjustment time for us both (we’re a single parent family) and this book would be ideal for us!!

I am in! This summer while preparing for the ‘start-up’ season I have spent much time wondering and praying for wisdom on how to set better boundaries both on my time and my families time. I am excited to learn … In ”the best yes’ … And also pass that on to my 14 & 17 year old daughters who would benefit so much from this .. As the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree! Thank you!

Sounds like I need this. Everyone that knows me knows I have a hard time saying “no” to people and organizations. I’m a “I can do that!” girl. Unfortunately all these obligations take over my life. But they are all “good” things…my kids’ schools, scouts, church, NCL, etc. But, I know I need to focus less on all these organizations and more on my family and what God wants me involved in. Well, we are moving an hour away, I have the ability for a fresh start on most of this. I have been praying to know what to say yes to when I get there (and even now as school and all these groups will be starting up before we are actually in our new home). I also have 3 kids…my oldest is a 14 year old girl. All of a sudden boys have discovered her! Yikes! She has a good head on her shoulders (for the most part 🙂 ) but she also gets thrown into all these groups and people plus now in a new environment where we don’t know any of the families since PreK or Kindergarten now. We will all need to be making the choices God wants us to make. And of course, my kids want to do it “all” too.

I always feel a sense of guilt when I say No. I’m getting better at it, but still, Yes just blurts out before I even have time to think or pray about the situation or commitment. I would love to read this myself and also for my 14 year old daughter 🙂

I’d love to have this! Have been reading the excerpts Lysa posts & kept the devo “the best yes” & it’s been such a great learning tool. Would read it then share with family & friends! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

I would love to win this kit. I have such a hard time saying “no” when I mean no and “yes” when I mean yes. And it gets me into a lot of trouble sometimes. I get overwhelmed and bogged down and burned out. So if I won this kit, I think it might help me.

I so much need this book NOW!!!! I have been (and still am) such a people pleaser. I feel pressured to always say yes by my family because if I say no, they get mad and not talk to me for a while and they’re judgmental and ask “What else do you have to do?” or “You’re not busy, so why not?.” My husband is an overseas contractor and is in Afghanistan right now. He’s been working overseas this time for over a year and he’ll be gone until May 2015. This is his 3rd time working overseas. The first 2 were from 2004-2007 and again from 2008-2010. They have no idea what it’s like not to have your significant other around to help you out. We have 2 boys, ages 13 & 11, and I am busy taking care of our sons and I also work full-time outside of the home. Some of my family members who are pressuring me to say yes, don’t work. The thing is, when my husband is home, the family members who pressure me into saying yes, are afraid to do it when he’s home. I would absolutely LOVE to learn to be able to say no to them and not feel pressured or guilty into always saying yes. I want to do this for my husband and our kids.

Things are about to change in my world: 3rd (of 4) child heading off to college in 1 week, a huge volunteering job that’s kept my extremely busy for the past 9 months is drawing to a close. I want to continue to serve God as He is leading me, but I want to make sure I am truly following HIS desires for me. Thanks!

I’m in!! After reading Lisa’s devotional from yesterday where she had the following quotes, I know I need this book. I want to change my soul from underwhelmed to overwhelmed by God.

“After all, when a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she’ll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul. An overwhelmed schedule leads to an underwhelmed soul — a soul with a full calendar but no time to really engage in life.

If I really want an unrushed life, I must underwhelm my schedule so God has room to overwhelm my soul.”

I’m in!!
Like you, I am a people pleaser and am glad to know that others struggle with this as well. I so enjoyed receiving the 5 days of “The Best Yes” I need to read this on a daily basis. Like me, my 20 year old daughter is starting to show signs of the same mannerisms, although I truly adore her generosity and kind heart, I don’t want to see her head down the same road of struggles I have become so accustomed to. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!!

If I won this special kit I would keep it for myself. Naturally I have always been a people pleaser and tend to still do that to today. I have said yes to so many people in my life to where it has almost become like I am allowing myself to be taken for granted. I’ve lost a lot of people when I said no. It is so bad that I have Jahova Witnesses come to my house almost weekly to share in Bible Study but I don’t believe in the things they teach about the Bible, I just don’t know how to tell them no when they ask to come again. They really are great women, but growing up and being baptized by my dad as a Christian and being surrounded by the strong, powerful families we were linked to, I know where my faith stands, I just lack courage to say no ….most of the time. I’m a leader by heart and in my family but somewhere down the line being a leader meant I was supposed to say yes to everything and lost sight of saying yes to my children and fiancé. The three “D’s” for making a decision stood out the most for me especially the last: disappointment. Is that yes worth the no? Looking back now, no it wasn’t worth it. I don’t want to keep saying just that, “looking back now…” I want to literally say the best yes moving forward not just for my family but for me too. Once I have finished the book, I want to give it to my mom. My mom and I are a little estranged right now and it is weird because I was attached to her hip growing up. I think this book would help her say her best yes so she can start living a life that God willed her to and maybe close the gap between us.

I’m in! The book would be for my daughter and I! We are both addicted to pleasing people and have a difficult time saying “No”. I know I need and would love to how to navigate difficult decisions! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

I’m TOTALLY in!! I have the book and will be doing the Proverbs 31 Online Study starting Sept 22, 2014! This is going to be so Awesome and can hardly wait! I would like to pass this gift along to a lady that really needs to slow down and breathe! Even though some of us don’t have our children at home we do a lot of Grandchildren time!!! They are precious and the memories are bedded in my heart along with so many others. But… life is just busy in itself and I would like to pass this and then it get passed again and again and again into as many hands as I can!!! The traveling book and each lady sign in it after they have read it!!! So if I win I am gonna pass this book along to as many ladies as I can and let them all sign it and then when it is returned I want to see how many lives #TheBestYes” has touched and changed with Gods word and Lysa’s listening to that small voice and following what/when she is directed from Jesus Christ~ Thanks so much for this chance and good luck all~

Today I felt like the LORD revealed to me that sometimes His best “Yes!” to us is “No”, That is really giving me food for thought because so often when we make a request to God, we want Him to say “Yes!” Being that He is a Good Father, He knows what is best for us and sometimes that answer “Yes!” isn’t is what is best – maybe for a season or maybe forever. So, wanting to walk in my Father’s footsteps, I realize that I too have to make the wisest decision. When I turn to Him, He will direct me in what to say. I pray that my “yes’s” will be yes and my “no’s”, no in accordance with His Divine Plan. This is one of the reasons I would like to read Lysa’s book.

I am in… Thank you for the opportunity. I am a Lifegroup Leadrer to 10 wonderful women. We have been studying identity. It is my goal that every women not see themselves as their circumstance, All to often that is “who we become”. My heart is for women to wake up and love on God and then go thru their day loving themselves as God loves them. Thank you!

My copy was pre-ordered and arrived earlier this week. I want this one to give to my daughter. We were actually on our way to a webcast party of Lysa’s “The Best Yes” webcast on Tuesday when the rain made us turn around. The best yes for us at that point was safety, not the risk of being stranded on a freeway miles from home.

Balance!!! We all are in need of balance, but with are natural born tendencies to please, it’s easy to say YES than to say no. I have found myself to often caught up in the YES and not doing or giving my best foot forward because of too many of them! Thanks for chance, this would be a great start to a Fall Women’s Bible Study!

I have been excited to read this book as this is something I struggle with so much. Since Lynn has mentioned using it with our daughters, my head and heart have been on fire to work to get this message to my three daughters as well. Imagine if we break the cycle of making decisions based on guilt and replaced them with making decisions that God wants these girls to make, now that would be life-changing for so many.

I am not sure what this book is completely about. I do know from reading other books of Lysa’s that it has to be good and very beneficial. I am struggling right now with so many things. First of all is my finances. I don’t get paid that much yet my bills take up 90 percent of my paycheck each month. I am trying to find something else if it be a better paying job or a second job. I am single and therefore have no one else to help with the bills. I need and desperately covet your prayers. I have been dealing with depression amongst other things. I honestly wish I were brave enough to end my life like Robin Williams did this week. Because I cannot see God working in my life and feel he has absolutely no purpose for me except to watch me suffer. I cannot figure out what to do next. I know this doesn’t really deal with the book but I so need someone to talk to and to help me through this. I am so tired of being alone. I am completely alone. I cannot even leave my own bedroom after I get off work. I stay secluded in this room because I don’t know where else I could go or who to go see. I am becoming hermit. I know I will be forever single because lets face it there is no place to meet anyone and the efforts I have previously made have never amounted to anything. What am I supposed to do to better my life and to finally make ends meet. I cannot pull myself out of this funk and I don’t think God wants anything good to ever happen in my life.

Dear Sweet Friend, I have been away from my computer all day, spending time with my sister and her husband. When I have finally gotten here at 11:15 p.m. your’s is the first email I have read. This is no accident. I will write a letter to you privately, ok? You just have got to know how crazy Jesus is about you!!

Life gets crazy! …husband, kids, full time job, full time graduate student, home maker, oh the list goes on! My biggest problem is that in very ADHD and being an ER nurse, I have to think on my feet! Problem with that is, is that i also make too quick of decisions without thinking about it. My husband is my complete contrast. He will hmm and haw over a decision for weeks…i.e what directions to take on our next camping adventure! Sometimes i say yes because it’s convenient and other times because i frankly don’t have time to consider saying no. So you can bet, this is now on my “must read” list! Thanks for letting us know about it!

As a wife, homeschool teacher, business owner and busy mom of 5 kids, being able to have the proper balance in the midst of a busy life can be challenging. I would like to be able to make right decisions and say “Yes” not only out of obligation or mere convenience. I want my decisions to be based on what God is saying. I want my kids to make right decisions too! I want them to always listen to God and depend on Him for all their decisions, big or small! This book would be a great blessing for us! Thank you!

I’m in again!!
Talk about stress! This set will not only benefit me but my friend down the street. We both need to say no to certain things and make more room in our lives for God!
I would love to win this!

I’m definitely in! 😀 …While I never seem to win these things I have so been eyeing this book! … we are in the midst of a transitional/transformative season in our family – three adult kiddos trying to make decisions,etc. I always second guess my decisions and look back and think what if ? … getting better at it but could still use some help. Really tired of feeling like I’m floundering or letting people down,or SOMETHING.

I’m in
I’m in too busy to even fix the parts of my blog that didn’t transfer right. We are singer songwriters. My husband leads worship at 2 churches, we lead worship in a local men’s prison, and do concerts, we write songs and are recording another CD, God keeps telling me to get back to me blog…
Enough of listing it makes me tired.
But I’m in! 🙂

I already ordered my copy and another one for my best friend. We are both teachers and no never seems to be in our vocabulary! Would love to have another for my daughter. She is only 13, but a people pleaser too.

I’m in. My girls are growing so fast and will be out of the house soon. I want to learn how to say only the best yes so that what time I heave left with them at home is memorable and to teach them when they are adults how to say their best yes.